“It’s only been a couple of days since the season ended; I’m going to take some time to regroup.” When Connor McDavid was asked about a possible contract extension with Edmonton after Oilers’ consecutive Stanley Cup to the Panthers, the captain clearly showed he wanted some time-off. However, even after weeks, no update has come up. What did become breaking news, though, were McDavid’s trade rumors.

Insider Chris Johnston from SDPN linked the Kings, Rangers, and Tampa Bay to McDavid. He even reported, “Teams would be stupid not to plan for McDavid UFA, no matter how slim the chances. You don’t think Julien BriseBois (Tampa Bay GM) down in TB is looking at his long-term roster?” Still, GM Stan Bowman confirmed that instead of discussing his extension, McDavid and the team were more focused on the team’s future steps, only suggesting that the captain would certainly stay. But in the offseason? McDavid seemingly cannot stay away from the rink.

Just a few weeks into the offseason and still two months away from the next season, he has picked up his stick for what the spectators believed was a “great match.” And the “regroup” he talked about? Well, he did do that, picking up his Oilers teammate, Leon Draisaitl, on the way. Certainly, what the crowd at Newmarket’s Magna Centre experienced was nothing short of “surprising” as clips from the game emerged late Wednesday night.

BarDown reported on X, “Connor McDavid takes the ice at a beer league game in Newmarket, ON, tonight.” Apparently, the two Edmonton superstars chose to stay their offseason night playing hockey in a garage league setup. While we can understand McDavid playing here, being from Richmond Hill just a few miles away from the arena, Draisaitl’s choice to be with his captain was a special sight.

The accompanying clip showed McDavid skating onto the ice at the local Ontario rink. Unlike his Oilers’ jersey, this one didn’t have his iconic No. 97 printed on it and seemed to be his practice jersey. In fact, the jersey was a blank slate with no name, no number, nothing. However, he was geared-up in Oilers’ gear with his #97 helmet. So was Draisaitl. And the game itself? Well, let’s just say seeing the two stars suit up was the only highlight for the beer league players and the crowd in the Magna Centre.

According to what the spectators describe, the game itself was “great.” But the two Oilers couldn’t care less about the result. Putting close to no effort, McDavid and Draisaitl, who played on the same team but on the opposite lines, combined for a net zero goals combined. In fact, The Edmonton No. 29 was even benched during the game, which many thought was a funny moment. Of course, who would think that someone like him would be benched during a beer league game and will be sitting next to some AAA players?!

After first period, team McDrai was trailing 4-0. And the end result? Just as disappointing, 6-2. Nevertheless, experience is experience, right? And it certainly was special for the people present there. Two referees even gave an interview after the game. The man behind the camera asked the refs, “What was it like to officiate a game with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl sharing the ice?” 

One replied, “Honestly, it’s incredible to see them coming down the ice. It’s nothing like you’ve ever seen.” The other ref added, “Just really cool to be on the ice with them. Just, kind of starstruck at the end of the day as well.”

The interviewer further asked, “How do you deal with that feeling of being starstruck in that moment?” And the first one simply said, “Honestly man, you work harder. You work harder for these guys. Yeah, it’s like summer league in July. But you want to give these guys good effort.” 

Ending the interview, the person asked the biggest question of all, “Did you guys know this was happening coming into this game or was it a surprise when they got here?” While the second one remained mum, the first one replied with a smile he had throughout the clip, “I got a text from here today to expect them which is pretty cool.” Although they were “not too shocked” that they did not put up much effort for even a single goal, the refs agreed “It was quite the game.”

Then again, this isn’t something the 28-year-old has never done before. In 2023, even his beer league game got intense.

That year, Connor McDavid showed up at the Beer League title match at New Market, Ontario, wearing a No. 4 jersey for the blue team. However, the Blue team’s opponents also had their NHL star, the Los Angeles Kings’ Quinton Byfield. And guess what? Byfield actually helped the Reds beat the Blues 9-4. Needless to say, the Hart Memorial Trophy winner wasn’t really giving it his all. With that out of the way, the forecast for McDavid staying with the Oilers isn’t all that gloomy.

Connor McDavid’s future with the Edmonton Oilers

Besides Chris Johnston saying that other NHL teams may want to prepare for the slim chance of McDavid hitting unrestricted free agency, the NHL icon himself had hinted earlier about his future in NHL. “Ultimately, I still need to do what’s best for me and my family, and that’s who I have to take care of first. Winning is the most important thing. If I feel there’s a good window to win here over and over again, then signing is no problem,” said Connor McDavid. Naturally, these statements have snowballed into wild speculation. Yet, many experts believe McDavid won’t go anywhere.

“This is not one I’m worried about. I’m not, I think he extends. I just don’t know what the term of that is going to be,” Elliotte Friedman told Kyle Bukauskas in the first week of July. He also explained that the NHL Western Conference champions won’t shy away from compensating McDavid at all. Meanwhile, another hockey reporter did give ballpark numbers for the extension.

“I expect McDavid will sign. I won’t be surprised to see a shorter term of around five years. AAV in $15.5-$16m range,” said reporter Jason Gregor. While the wild speculations will keep making rounds, it is not uncommon for franchise stars to not sign extensions late into the season. In fact, both the camps might wait even until the season is underway to finally begin the negotiations.

But, with no word of negotiations, it seems fans will have to wait a bit longer to see what the 28-year-old ultimately decides. Meanwhile, they can watch him probably catch another beer league matchup soon.